CARRY A TORCH (FOR) Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

carry a torch (for)

phrase

variants or carry the torch (for)

as in love

to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for She still carries a torch for her husband after over 30 years of marriage.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for carry a torch (for)

fall for

Phrase

Power and Daniel Sweren-Becker wrote the script, which follows a struggling tennis phenom who falls for a charismatic local ball boy at the US Open.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 July 2026
At 15, Diana falls for Lalo, a young man from a neighboring kingdom.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 9 July 2026

Definition of fall for

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

carryalls

carry a torch (for)

carry away

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Carry a torch (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carry%20a%20torch%20%28for%29. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of carry a torch (for)

phrase

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

xeric

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes